2x4 coupling plate

ABSTRACT

The 2×4 Coupling Plate allows two boards to be reversibly coupled so that the lengths of the two boards may be added together. The coupling plates allows both boards to be separated without damaging them. This device allows a concrete fabricator to assembly two 2×4 boards together and hold them together to form a structure to contain liquid concrete. Once the concrete is set, the installer removes the two boards from the coupling plate so that the boards can be used on another concrete form.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application does not claim priority to any prior patentapplication.

DISCLOSURE REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR A JOINTINVENTOR

The inventor has not disclosed this invention more than twelve monthsprior to the filing of a provisional application to which priority isclaimed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention. This device is a plate or bracket formed ofa hard material that allows a user to couple two boards of lumber, suchas two 2×4s, at their lengths. This device allows a user to combine alarge number of boards at their lengths to create concrete forms. Theuser utilizes the device to create, for example, a concrete form for thefoundation of a home. Liquid concrete is poured into the form and theconcrete is allowed to set until hard. Next, the user removes the boardsfrom the 2×4 Coupling Plate. The 2×4 Coupling Plate can then be used tocreate additional concrete forms. 2×6's, 2×10s or any size lumber can bejoined using the 2×4 Coupling Plate.

(2) Disclosure of the Prior Art. A number of devices are disclosed inthe prior art for joining lumber, including 2×4s. Ikerd (US 2008/0283702A1) discloses various forged angle L-shaped brackets and various steeljoining plates for bolting lumber together at horizontal and verticalintersections. FIGS. 7 and 32 depict a device that couples to boardstogether with one board running vertical and the other board runninghorizontally. None of the joining plates disclosed by Ikerd would allowa user to join two boards together in the horizontal direction.

Fox (U.S. Pat. No. 10,100,508 B1) discloses a bracket that allows a userto couple a vertical post to a rafter that is running horizontally on anangle. This device could not be used to create concrete forms. McCoy etal. (U.S. Pat. No. 8,807,498 B1) discloses a sawhorse bracket thatallows user to quickly assemble a sawhorse from lumber pieces. Althoughthe device provides a horizontal member to couple a 2×4, or other pieceof lumber, the device also includes angled extensions for coupling 2×4sto the horizontal member. This device could not be used to make concreteforms because the angled extensions would prevent assembly anddisassembly of the concrete form.

Concrete forms require a large number of lumber pieces to be assembledhorizontally at their lengths. Upon disassembly, the lumber used to makethe concrete form is typically not reused because of damage sustained bysaid lumber in making and disassembling the concrete form. The lumber istypically discarded. The costs of lumber has risen greatly in recentyears. Additionally, the environment will be aided if lumber fromconcrete forms can be reused multiple times. A device is needed thatwill allow quick and efficient assembly and disassembly of concreteforms that will allow the lumber to be reused.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described in detail below with reference to theappended drawings.

FIGS. 1 through 8 depict the 2×4 Coupling Plate. In the Figures:

FIG. 1 depicts an angled bottom and side view of the 2×4 Coupling Platein a vertical position.

FIG. 2 depicts a top view of the device in a vertical position.

A bottom view of the device in a vertical position is shown in FIG. 3.

An end view of the 2×4 Coupling Plate is shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of the device in a vertical position,while FIG. 6 depicts a right side view of the device in a verticalposition.

FIG. 7 depicts an exploded outside view of the device with two 2×4s andeight nails in a vertical position.

FIG. 8 illustrates a view of the device with two 2×4s and eight nails ina vertical position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many differentforms, there are shown in the drawings and will herein be described indetail, several embodiments with the understanding that the presentdisclosure should be considered as an exemplification of the principlesof the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to theembodiments so illustrated. Further, to the extent that any numericalvalues or other specifics of materials, etc., are provided herein, theyare to be construed as exemplifications of the inventions herein, andthe inventions are not to be considered as limited thereto.

The following description and drawings are illustrative and are not tobe construed as limiting. Numerous specific details are described toprovide a thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, in certaininstances, well-known or conventional details are not described in orderto avoid obscuring the description. References to one, or an embodimentin the present disclosure, can be, but not necessarily, references tothe same embodiment; and, such references mean at least one of theembodiments.

Reference in this specification to “one embodiment’ or “an embodiment”means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic describedin connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodimentof the disclosure. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” invarious places in the specification are not necessarily all referring tothe same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodimentsmutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features aredescribed which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others.Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirementsfor some embodiments, but not other embodiments.

The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinarymeanings in the art, within the context of the disclosure, and in thespecific context where each term is used. Certain terms that are used todescribe the disclosure are discussed below, or elsewhere in thespecification, to provide additional guidance to the practitionerregarding the description of the disclosure. For convenience, certainterms may be highlighted, for example using italics and/or quotationmarks. The use of highlighting has no influence on the scope and meaningof a term; the scope and meaning of a term is the same, in the samecontext, whether or not it is highlighted. It will be appreciated thatthe same term can be said in more than one way.

Consequently, alternative language and synonyms may be used for any oneor more of the terms discussed herein, or is any special significance tobe placed upon whether or not a term is elaborated or discussed herein.Synonyms for certain terms are provided. A recital of one or moresynonyms does not exclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examplesanywhere in this specification, including examples of any termsdiscussed herein, is illustrative only, and in no way limits the scopeand meaning of the disclosure or of any exemplified term. Likewise, thedisclosure is not limited to various embodiments given in thisspecification.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this disclosure pertains. In the case of conflict, thepresent document, including definitions will control.

The 2×4 Coupling Plate is a device that allows two boards to bereversibly coupled to each other at their lengths. The 2×4 CouplingPlate may be used in making concrete forms for houses wherein two boardsare positioned within a single 2×4 Coupling Plate, and multiples boardsare connected via multiple 2×4 Coupling Plates. The device allows theuser to create a concrete foundation form that is square, level,straight, and braced quickly and efficiently. The wood used in creatingthe form may be reused and the 2×4 Coupling Plates may be reused at thenext job, reducing waste and costs.

FIG. 1 illustrates an angled bottom and side view of the 2×4 CouplingPlate in a vertical position. The 2×4 Coupling Plate may be formed ofsteel, aluminum, hard plastic or any other material that will allow itto have sufficient strength to brace two boards of lumber in a straightorientation without warping or bending. Concrete panel 2 is positionedtoward the inside of the concrete form where liquid concrete is added.Sidewall 4 may join along the length of concrete panel 2 forming a shapethat will accept a 2×4, or other board of lumber. Cavity rims 10 and 12are each formed along a sidewall 4 forming a rim to secure a 2×4, orother board, inside cavity formed by inside face 2 and two sidewalls 4.

FIG. 2 is a rotated view of FIG. 1 showing the cavity of the 2×4Coupling Plate. A 2×4, or other board of lumber, is positioned along thelength of 2×4 panel 32. 2×4 panel 32 and both interior sidewalls 30 maybe 1 and ⅝″ width, or any sufficient width to secure a 2×4 within thecavity formed by them. Instead, interior sidewalls 30 may be ⅞″ in widthto secure a 1×4 board of lumber. Exterior rims 14 are on the outerperimeter of the concrete form allowing a user to install nails and/orscrews into holes 20 to secure the ends of 2×4s within the 2×4 CouplingPlate. Exterior rims 14 may be ¼″ in width, or any suitable width toallow a user to quickly and easily position lumber within the 2×4Coupling Plate. Holes 20 may be ⅛″ in diameter, or any other suitablediameter or shape to accept means to secure a 2×4 within 2×4 CouplingPlate so that the 2×4 is square, straight, and level with respect to theconcrete form.

FIG. 3 depicts a bottom view of the 2×4 Coupling Plate. Concrete panel 2is positioned so that it makes contact with the liquid concrete pouredinto the concrete form. Edges 40 are angled to allow a 2×4 to be tightlysecured within the 2×4 Coupling Plate. Concrete panel 2 may be 16 to 20inches in length and 3 and ⅝ inches wide. The 2×4 Coupling Plate may beformed of 26 to 28 gauge metal.

FIG. 4 depicts an end view of the device herein. A concrete form, orother lumber joining application, utilizing 2×4s would have thefollowing dimensions: concrete panel 2 and 2×4 panel 32 3 and ⅝ inches,sidewall 4 and interior sidewalls 30 1 and ⅝ inches, and exterior rims14 ¼ inch. A concrete form, or other lumber application, utilizing 1×4swould have the following dimensions: concrete panel 2 and 2×4 panel 32 3and ⅝ inches in width, sidewall 4 and interior sidewalls 30 ⅞ inches inwidth, and exterior rims 14 ¼ inch.

FIG. 5 depicts a view of the 2×4 Coupling Plate that you would seelooking at the exterior of the concrete form, and FIG. 6 depicts whatyou would see looking down on the 2×4 Coupling Plate from above. Notethat holes 20 allow a user to easily insert and remove nails, screws, orother securing means through rims 14 and into a board of lumber. 2×4panel 32 would only be visible if no 2×4 or other board is inserted intothe 2×4 Coupling Plate. Edges 40 may be rounded to assist in insertionand removal of a board of lumber.

FIG. 7 depicts an angled side view of the 2×4 Coupling Plate with boards50 and 52 exploded above and below, and nails 54, which exploded infront of the device. FIG. 7 depicts the device with 8 nails 54 beingsecured within the device. Boards 50 and 52 may be 2×4s, 1×4s or anyother suitable lumber. Boards 50 and 52 may be inserted into the deviceby a user sliding the end of each board approximately half way into thedevice so that each board 50 and 52 is positioned flush against theother board. A user then secures one or more nails into each board 50and 52 through holes 20.

FIG. 8 depicts the device with two boards installed creating a stable,secure, square, level, and braced concrete form. Note boards 50 and 52are tightly coupled to each other and tightly positioned within the 2×4Coupling Plate. Nails 54 have been installed by a user through the 2×4Coupling Plate and into boards 50 and 52. The figure depicts the deviceinstalled in a vertical position, but when in use to make a concreteform, the device would be rotated 90 degrees so that it is horizontaland level with the ground. And, during use, exterior rims 14 will beorientated on the outside of the concrete form created so that a usercan easily assemble and disassemble the device.

I hereby claim:
 1. A concrete form plate, or bracket, comprising: aplate having a substantially channel-shaped body dimensioned to slidablyreceive two lumber boards when in use to form a concrete form, whereinthe channel-shaped body comprises a flat plate, two sidewalls, and tworims; wherein each of the two sidewalls connects a length of the flatplate to one of the two rims; wherein each of the two rims includes oneor more holes, and wherein each of the one or more holes is formed toreceive a nail, or other securing means, when in use to form a concreteform.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the lumber boards are 2×4s. 3.The device of claim 1, wherein the lumber boards are 1×4s.
 4. The deviceof claim 1, wherein the channel-shaped body is composed of 26 gaugesteel.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the channel-shaped body is atleast 16 inches in length.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein thechannel-shaped body is less than 20 inches in length.
 7. The device ofclaim 6, wherein the channel-shaped body has a width of 3 and ⅝ inches.8. The device of claim 7, wherein each of the two sidewalls has a widthof ⅞ inches.